US Open: Somdev ousted in opening round

New York: Somdev Devvarman, playing only his second match after returning from a shoulder surgery, put up a spirited fight before losing in the first round of the US Open against Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo, here today.

The Indian, who had lost in the first round of the London Olympics also, lost the opener 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 4-6 to his Spanish rival ranked 94.

Somdev, whose ranking has plummeted to 473 after missing out most of this season, battled for two hours 41 minutes before bowing out of the last Grand Slam of the year.

Somdev lost in four sets. AFP

Somdev had undergone a shoulder surgery last November.

India's hopes remain in men's and women's doubles competitions.

Leander Paes and his Czech partner Radek Stepanek have been seeded fifth and they open their campaign against the German pair of Dustin Brown and Christopher Kas.

Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna are seeded eighth and play Australia's Matthew Ebden and young Bernard Tomic first up.

In the women's doubles, Sania Mirza and her American partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands have been seeded 13th and they are up against Italy's Alberta Brianti and Romania's Sorana Cirstea.